Alan Shearer thinks former Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier is playing ‘the best football of his career’ at Newcastle United.
The 33-year-old joined Newcastle United during the 2022 January transfer window when Eddie Howe’s side, who had just been taken over by Saudi-led ownership, were battling relegation.
And despite Kieran Trippier playing for a Champions League team in Atlético Madrid, he decided to make that drop to St James’ Park and Alan Shearer feels he has been a ‘game-changer’ for the club, as he told The Rest Is Football Podcast.
Of course, the Toon Army faithful were overjoyed that they were able to secure the talents of someone like Kieran Trippier because they had seen him work his magic at Tottenham years before.
At Spurs, he was an underrated figure at right-back, including playing a key role in the team consistently finishing in the Champions League and then getting to the final.
Tottenham decided to part ways with the player for £20 million (Guardian) in 2019, and it’s not until now, can they say that they have replaced him.
Either way, those in Newcastle colours are now reaping the rewards of a player who, according to Shearer, is now ‘ absolutely bossing it’.
Kieran Trippier at Newcastle
“I haven’t followed his career closely, but I have always been aware of him,” said Shearer. “But I think the football he is playing now for Newcastle is the best football he has played in his career.
“He was definitely the game-changer for Newcastle. He was such an important signing. And, of course, Eddie (Howe) knew him. When Eddie went over to Atletico Madrid to watch them train, he sort of kept in touch with him. But he has, no doubt, been the game-changer for Newcastle.
“When he came in, he had won La Liga. There was a proper chance that Newcastle were going to be relegated, so it was a bit of a gamble on his part. No clauses or relegation clauses in his contract.
“Immediately, his attitude changed other players’ attitudes, for the better. I think his professionalism and everything else. He is absolutely bossing it, at the moment. The fans love him. Defensively, he is nasty and hard to get past. A great leader. And going forward, some of the balls he is whipping into the box, it’s just superb.”
